The Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has warned Finance Minister Dr Mohammed Amin Adam that he could face imprisonment if he fails to present the 2025 mini-budget to Parliament before the swearing-in of the new government.

Dr Ato Forson issued the warning during a parliamentary session on Thursday, December 19, amid concerns over Dr Adam’s absence from parliamentary proceedings for four consecutive days. His absence has left the budget for the first quarter of the year unresolved, raising alarms among Members of Parliament (MPs) about the government’s handling of fiscal matters during the critical transition period.

Addressing the issue in the House, Dr Ato Forson expressed frustration at the Finance Minister’s failure to fulfil his constitutional duties. He emphasized the legal and political consequences of not presenting the mini-budget on time.

“There are severe penalties for not doing this, including a jail term,” Ato Forson said, urging those in office to be mindful of their constitutional responsibilities and the Public Financial Management (PFM) Act.

The absence of the Finance Minister has sparked criticism, with many MPs accusing the government of neglecting its fiscal duties and failing to address the country’s economic challenges as the new fiscal year approaches. Parliamentarians have stressed the need for accountability during this transition period.

Source:TheDotNews